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What were Joseph Smith’s wives' ages?

Todd Noall

Todd Noall

Source Expert

Todd Noall is an author and religious scholar at Mormonism Explained with a focus on the history and theology of religion.

Fact Checked by Kevin Prince

Kevin Prince

Source Expert

Kevin Prince serves as the Source Authority at Mormonism Explained. Mr. Prince is a religious scholar as well as a technology industry CEO and entrepreneur.

Updated July 3, 2024

Joseph Smith’s wives ages ranged from 14-58. Most of Smith’s wives were in their twenties. Smith’s oldest wife was named Rhoda Richards. She was 58 years old when she married Smith. Richards was the sister of the apostle Willard Richards. Rhoda and Willard probably viewed this marriage as a type of plural marriage called a dynastic sealing. This marriage would tie the Richards to the Smith family for eternity. 

Joseph Smith’s youngest wife was Helen Mar Kimball. She was 14 when she and Smith were sealed. Helen’s father was the apostle, Heber C. Kimball. Helen and Heber, like the Richards, viewed Helen’s sealing as a way to connect the Kimball family with the Smith family, or as a dynastic sealing. Helen would staunchly defend polygamy her whole life. While living in Utah, Helen wrote two books about polygamy. She never claimed sexual relations occurred between her and Joseph Smith.